Story of Zoey (FireredShipping)

"Dawn, have you ever had a crush on someone before?"

"Huh? What kind of question is that?"

Zoey and Dawn were talking after training together for the upcoming contest next week. While taking a break, Zoey asked an unexpected question.

"W-well…" Zoey scratched her chin. "A-a friend of mine came up to me and asked me what it was like, and I-I didn't know what to tell her…"

"Oh. Who's the friend? Do I know her?"

"N-no… No, you don't know her…"

"Hmm. Let's see… I don't think I've had a crush on anyone. What is that even like? I don't know. I don't think I can answer that question. Sorry."

Zoey waved her hands. "No, it's fine! I'll just ask someone else…"

"Oh, all right. Maybe you should ask Brock. He's always flaunting over girls," Dawn rolled her eyes, seemingly annoyed by his behavior around females. "Or maybe not."

"U-um, it doesn't hurt to ask…"

"Girls are the best thing to walk this Earth since…since always. They are the best thing ever," Brock responded before Zoey even finished asking the question. She didn't even get past the word 'ever.'

"Um…"

"That is what you were going to ask me, right?"

Zoey just stared at him. "Brock…what exactly did you think I was going to ask you?"

"Dawn said you wanted to know something about girls."

"No, I wanted to know if you've ever had a crush on anyone before. I understand you being male and your response is going to pertain to girls, but I didn't need to know specifically what you thought about girls…"

"Oh," Brock frowned. "I can still answer your question, though."

"I'm not sure that you can…"

"Why is that?"

"…Cause I think you like every girl with a pulse…"

"Not every girl."

"It's okay, Brock. You don't have to answer…"

"Why are you asking, though? Do you have a crush on someone?"

"O-of course not! A friend wants to know!"

"Hmm…okay then. If you don't want my opinion, maybe you should ask another female friend? Ursula, maybe…?" Brock trailed off, suddenly not thinking that to be a good idea. "Maybe not."

"No…"

"Or why don't you ask Ash?"

Zoey's heart jumped. "A-Ash? Why?"

"Well, honestly, I don't know how he feels about girls. I've never really asked. Maybe he'll open up to someone else."

"U-um, I-I don't think I should…" Zoey couldn't help her stuttering. The moment Ash was mentioned, her heart began to race.

"Why don't you ask him now? I don't think he's busy…"

"N-no, Brock, wait—!"

"Hey, Ash! Come here!"

Zoey froze. She saw Ash in the distance spin around and rushed over toward them. He was getting closer and closer…Zoey wanted to bolt for it, but she remained in place. It wouldn't make any sense for her to run from him.

"Yes, Brock?" Ash asked as he approached him.

"Zoey wants to ask you something."

"No I don't!"

"I thought you did?"

"You thought I did! But I didn't!"

"Why don't you just ask him? He's right here."

"Ask me what?" Ash looked curious.

"N-nothing!"

"Have you ever had a crush on anyone before?" Brock said.

Zoey facepalmed.

"A crush? Like, have I ever used Crush Claw on anyone? I don't think any of my Pokémon can learn that move…"

"No, a crush," Brock reiterated.

"I know what you mean. Oh, wait, you mean Crush Grip?"

"No."

"Uh, the trainer class Crush Girl?"

"No…"

"Crush…"

"No! Not crush specific! Like, a crush on a girl! Liking a girl!"

"…Crush? Who decided that would be the word to describe that?"

Now Brock facepalmed.

"S-see?" Zoey chuckled, hoping to dodge this conversation completely. Asking Brock was a terrible idea to begin with, and now look where it got her. "He doesn't even know…"

"Have I ever liked a girl…?" Ash asked himself.

Zoey made a face. She didn't think Ash would be the type to think about girls in that way. No, Ash was the type of person who focused on training and battling his Pokémon. He didn't have time to focus on girls and he probably couldn't care less.

It was the reason why Zoey decided not to open up about her feelings for him.

But with Ash asking himself this question, was there more to him that Zoey didn't know…?

"Girls are like…a foreign species."

"Wah?" Zoey's face contorted. "H-huh?"

"I mean, I don't understand girls. Brock, I don't understand what it is about you that makes you go crazy over every girl you see. I just…I don't know."

It was silent for a moment. Then Ash turned and saw the horrid expression on Zoey's face.

"I-I mean, no offense to you, Zoey! I think…I think you're really cool!"

Zoey's eyes widened. Did Ash…did he really just say that?

"I mean, you're not like Dawn, who worries about her appearance so much. Do you know how many times she brushes her hair a day? For no reason? You're, like, laid back and relaxed. Not super girly or anything. I think it's cool."

Zoey blushed.

"Sorry I can't answer your question, though," Ash apologized. "Do you have a crush on someone, Zoey?"

Zoey opened her mouth to say something, then suddenly stopped herself. She grinned and waved her hands dismissively. "No. A friend of mine wanted to know."

"A friend?"

"Y-yeah. Hey, I gotta get going, but thanks again! See you later, Brock! Ash…" she softened her tone as she spoke the latter's name. She waved goodbye to Dawn as well as she passed her.

"Thanks?" Ash raised his eyebrow. "What did she thank us for? We didn't even answer her question! Or her friend's question, I guess…"

"Hmm, I think we already answered her question…" Brock said.

"Huh? No we didn't."

"Oh, no, I think we did, Ash," Brock smirk as Ash gave him an odd look.

Zoey ran off with a smile on her face as well. Maybe Ash didn't think too much of girls. But to him, Zoey was different.

And that was close enough.